Novel amides, preparation and therapeutic use as modulators of ccr-receptor activity

ABSTRACT

The invention provides compounds of general formula (I), wherein R 1 , X, Y, n, R 2 , Z 1 , Z 2 , A 1 , A 2 , Q, R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , t and R 16  are as defined in the specification, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.

[0001] The present invention relates to novel compounds, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.

[0002] Chemokines play an important role in immune and inflammatory responses in various diseases and disorders, including asthma and allergic diseases, as well as autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. These small Secreted molecules are a growing superfamily of 8-14 kDa proteins characterised by a conserved four cysteine motif. The chemokine superfamily can be divided into two main groups exhibiting characteristic structural motifs, the Cys-X-Cys (C-X-C) and Cys-Cys (C-C) families. These are distinguished on the basis of a single amino acid insertion between the NH-proximal pair of cysteine residues and sequence similarity.

[0003] The C-X-C chemolines include several potent chemoattractants and activators of neutrophils such as interleulin-8 (IL-8) and neutrophil-activating peptide 2 (NAP-2).

[0004] The C-C chemokines include potent chemoattractants of monocytes and lymphocytes but not neutrophils such as human monocyte chemotactic proteins 1-3 (MCP-1, MCP-2 and MCP-3), RANTES (Regulated on Activation, Normal T Expressed and Secreted), eotaxin and the macrophage inflammatory proteins 1α and 1β (MIP-1α and MIP-1β).

[0005] Studies have demonstrated that the actions of the chemokines are mediated by subfamilies of G protein-coupled receptors, among which are the receptors designated CCR1, CCR2, CCR2A, CCR2B, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR7, CCR8, CCR9, CCR10, CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3 and CXCR4. These receptors represent good targets for drug development since agents which modulate these receptors would be useful in the treatment of disorders and diseases such as those previously mentioned.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is therefore provided a compound of general formula

[0007] wherein

[0008] R¹ represents a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, the ring system being optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ akyl, C₃-C₆ cyclaLktYl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, —NR⁹R¹⁰, C₃-C₆ cycloalkylanmino, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonylamino, sulphonamido (—SO₂NH₂), C₁-C₆ alkylsulphonyl and —C(O)NR¹¹R¹²;

[0009] X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a CH₂, CH(CH₃), OCH₂, CH₂O, CH₂NH, NH or carbonyl group and Y represents a nitrogen atom or a CH or C(OH) group, provided that when X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom br a CH₂O, CH₂NH or NH group, then Y represents a CH group;

[0010] n is 0, 1 or 2;

[0011] each R² independently represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, —CH₂OH or carboxyl group;

[0012] Z¹ represents a bond or a group (CH₂)_(q) where q is 1 or 2;

[0013] Z² represents a bond or a group CH₂, with the proviso that Z¹ and Z² do not both simultaneously represent a bond;

[0014] when Y represents a nitrogen atom, then A¹ represents CH and A² represents NH, or A¹ represents a nitrogen atom and A² represents CH₂, or A¹ represents a nitrogen atom and A² represents a bond; or when Y represents a group CH or C(OH), then A¹ represents a nitrogen atom and A² represents a bond;

[0015] Q represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group CH₂ or NH;

[0016] R³ represents —NHC(O)R¹³ or —C(O)NR¹⁴R¹⁵;

[0017] R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ together represent a C₁-C₄ alkylene chain linking the two carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a 4- to 7-membered saturated carbocycle, or R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each represent a hydrogen atom and R⁴ and R⁸ together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5- to 6-membered saturated carbocycle;

[0018] R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group or is linked to R⁴ as defined above;

[0019] R⁹ and R¹⁰ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle;

[0020] R¹¹ and R¹² each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group;

[0021] R¹³ represents a group C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, adamantyl, C₅-C₆ cycloalkenyl, phenyl or a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, each of which may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from nitro, hydroxyl, oxo, halogen, carboxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl and —NHC(O)—R¹⁷;

[0022] R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independently represent (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a 5- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring optionally comprising at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, the ring being optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from halogen, methyl and trifluoromethyl, or (iii) a C₁-C₆ alkyl group optionally substituted by at least one substituent selected from halogen, trifluoromethyl, carboxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl and a 5- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring optionally comprising at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, the ring being optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from halogen, methyl and trifluoromethyl, or

[0023] R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle;

[0024] t is 0, 1, 2 or 3;

[0025] each R¹⁶ independently represents halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, hydroxyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, —NR¹⁸R¹⁹, C₃-C₆ cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonylamino, sulphonamido (—SO₂NH₂), C₁-C₆ alkylsulphonyl, —C(O)NR²⁰R²¹, —NR²²C(O)(NH)_(v)R²³, phenyl, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted by at least one substituent selected from carboxyl and C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl;

[0026] R¹⁷ represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl, amino (—NH₂) or phenyl group;

[0027] R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle;

[0028] R²⁰ and R²¹ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group optionally substituted by C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl;

[0029] v is 0 or 1;

[0030] R²² represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group; and

[0031] R²³ represents a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group optionally substituted by at least one substituent selected from carboxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy and C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl; or a pharmaceutically a(eptable sait or solvate thereof.

[0032] In the context of the present specification, an alkyl or alkenyl substituent group or an alkyl moiety in a substituent group may be linear or branched. A haloalkyl or haloalkoxy substituent group will comprise at least one halogen atom, e.g. one, two, three or four halogen atoms. When R⁹ and R¹⁰ (or R¹⁴ and R¹⁵, or R¹⁸ and R¹⁹) represent a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle, it should be understood that the only heteroatom present is the nitrogen atom to which R⁹ and R¹⁰ (or R¹⁴ and R¹⁵, or R¹⁸ and R¹⁹) are attached. In the definitions of each of R¹ and R¹³, it should be noted that the saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system may have alicyclic or aromatic properties.

[0033] Similarly, in the definition of R¹⁴ and R¹⁵, a 5- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring optionally comprising at least one ring heteroatom may have alicyclic or aromatic properties.

[0034] R¹ represents a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring heteroatom (e.g. one, two, three or four ring heteroatoms) selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, the ring system being optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one, two, three or four) substituents independently selected from halogen (e.g. chlorine, fluorine, bromine or iodine), cyano, nitro, carboxyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl), C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl (cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxy (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy or n-butoxy), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, haloalllyl (e.g. trifluoromethyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, haloalkoxy (e.g. trifluoromethoxy), —NR⁹R¹⁰, C₃-C₆ cycloalkylamino (e.g. cyclopropylamino, cyclobutylamino, cyclopentylamino or cyclohexylamino), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkylthio (e.g. methylthio or ethylthio), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, aLkylcarbonyl (e.g. methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, n-propylcarbonyl, isopropylcarbonyl, n-butylcarbonyl, n-pentylcarbonyl or n-hexylcarbonyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, aLkylcarbonylamino (e.g. methylcarbonylamino or ethylcarbonylamino), sulphonamido, C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkylsulphonyl (e.g. methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n-propylsulphonyl, isopropylsuiphonyl, n-butylsulphonyl, n-pentylsulphonyl or n-hexylsulphonyl) or —C(O)NR¹¹R¹².

[0035] The saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system may be monocyclic or polycyclic (e.g. bicyclic) and comprises up to four ring heteroatoms independently selected fiom nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Examples of ring systems that may be used include pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolidinyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrrolyl, fuiranyl, thiazolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl and pyridinyl.

[0036] In an embodiment of the invention, R¹ represents an unsaturated 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring nitrogen atom, the ring system being optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms.

[0037] In an embodiment of the invention, X represents an oxygen atom or a CH₂, OCH₂, CH₂O, NH or carbonyl group.

[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, Y represents a nitrogen atom or CH group.

[0039] Preferred combinations of X—Y include O—CH, OCH₂—CH, NH—CH, CH₂O—CH, CH₂—N, C(O)—N and CH₂—CH.

[0040] Preferred combinations of Y, Z¹ and Z² include: Y Z¹ Z² CH CH₂ bond CH bond CH₂ CH CH₂ CH₂ CH (CH₂)₂ bond N CH₂ CH₂

[0041] Each R² independently represents a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl), —CH₂OH or carboxyl group. In an embodiment of the invention, n is 1 and R² represents a methyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₂OH or carboxyl group.

[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, Q represents an oxygen atom.

[0043] R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl), or R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ together represent a C₁-C₄ alkylene chain linking the two carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a 4- to 7-membered saturated carbocycle (e.g. cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl), or R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each represent a hydrogen atom and R⁴ and R⁸ together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5- to 6-membered saturated carbocycle (particularly cyclopentyl).

[0044] R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl) or is linked to R⁴ as defined above.

[0045] R⁹ and R¹⁰ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl), or R⁹ and R¹⁰ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle (e.g. pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl).

[0046] R¹¹ and R¹² each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl).

[0047] R¹³ represents a group C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₅, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl), C₂-C₆, preferably C₂-C₄, aLkenyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl (cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl), adamantyl, C₅-C₆ cycloalkenyl, phenyl or a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring heteroatom (e.g. one, two, three or four ring heteroatoms) selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, each of which (i.e. each of the recited groups and the ring system) may be optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one, two, three or four) substituents independently selected from nitro, hydroxyl, oxo, halogen (e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), carboxyl, C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxy (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy or n-butoxy), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkylthio (e.g. methylthio or ethylthio), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkylcarbonyl (e.g. methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, n-propylcarbonyl, isopropylcarbonyl, n-butylcarbonyl, n-pentylcarbonyl or n-hexylcarbonyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl), phenyl and —NHC(O)—R¹⁷.

[0048] In R¹³, the saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system may be monocyclic or polycyclic (e.g. bicyclic) and comprises up to four ring heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Examples of ring systems that may be used include pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolidinyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrrolyl, fuiranyl, thiazolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl and pyridinyl.

[0049] In an embodiment of the invention, R¹³ represents a group C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl or a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring heteroatom (e.g. one or two ring heteroatoms independently) selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, each of which may be optionally substituted by one, two, three or four substituents independently selected from nitro, hydroxyl, oxo, halogen, carboxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl and —NHC(O)—R¹⁷.

[0050] In another embodiment of the invention, R¹³ represents a group C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl or an unsaturated 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring heteroatom (e.g. one or two ring heteroatoms independently) selected from nitrogen and oxygen, each of which may be optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl and C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

[0051] R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independently represent (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a 5- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring optionally comprising at least one ring heteroatom (e.g. one, two or three ring heteroatoms independently) selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur (examples of rings include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, pyrolyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, thienyl and furanyl), the ring being optionally substituted with at least one substituent (e.g. one, two or three substituents independently) selected from halogen (e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), methyl and trifluoromethyl, or (iii) a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl) optionally substituted by at least one substituent (e.g. one, two or three substituents independently) selected from halogen (e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), trifluoromethyl, carboxyl, C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxycarbonyl and a 5- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring optionally comprising at least one ring heteroatom (e.g. one, two or three ring heteroatoms independently) selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur (examples of rings include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, pyrolyl, irnidazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, thienyl and furanyl), the ring being optionally substituted with at least one substituent (e.g. one, two or three substituents independently) selected from halogen (e.g. fluorine; chlorine, bromine or iodine), methyl and trifluoromethyl, or R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle (e.g. pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl).

[0052] In an embodiment of the invention, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl group.

[0053] Each R¹⁶ independently represents halogen (e.g. chlorine, fluorine, bromine or iodine), cyano, nitro, carboxyl, hydroxyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl (cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxy (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy or n-butoxy), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, haloalkyl (e.g. trifluoromethyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, haloalkoxy (e.g. trifluoromethoxy), —NR¹⁸R¹⁹, C₃-C₆ cycloalkylamino (e.g. cyclopropylamino, cyclobutylamino, cyclopentylamino or cyclohexylamino), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkylthio (e.g. methylthio or ethylthio), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkylcarbonyl (e.g. methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, n-propylcarbonyl, isopropylcarbonyl, n-butylcarbonyl, n-pentylcarbonyl or n-hexylcarbonyl), C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkylcarbonylamino (e.g. methylcarbonylamino or ethylcarbonylamino), sulphonamido, C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkylsulphonyl (e.g. methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n-propylsulphonyl, isopropylsulphonyl, n-butylsulphonyl, n-pentylsulphonyl or n-hexylsulphonyl), —C(O)NR²⁰R²¹, —NR²²C(O)—(NH)_(v)R²³, phenyl, or C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl) optionally substituted by at least one substituent (e.g. one, two or three substituents) independently selected from carboxyl and C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl).

[0054] In an embodiment of the invention, each R¹⁶ independently represents halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ alkylcarbonyl, phenyl or C₁-C₄ alkyl.

[0055] R¹⁷ represents a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl), amino or phenyl group.

[0056] R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl), or R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle (e.g. pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl).

[0057] R²⁰ and R²¹ each independently represent a hydrogeni atom or a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-₄, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl) optionally substituted by a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxycarbonyl substituent group.

[0058] R²² represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl).

[0059] R²³ represents a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl) optionally substituted by at least one substituent (e.g. one, two or three substituents independently) selected from carboxyl, C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxy or C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₄, alkoxycarbonyl.

[0060] Examples of compounds of the invention include:

[0061] N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy) phenyl]benzamide,

[0062] N-[2-(3-{3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)]-1-pyrrolidinyl}-2-hydroxypropoxy}-6-fluorophenyl)acetamide,

[0063] N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]acetamide,

[0064] N-[2-[(2S)-3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4 -fluorophenyl]acetamide,

[0065] N-[2-[(2R)-3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy-]1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4 -fluorophenyl]acetamide,

[0066] N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxyamide,

[0067] N-[2-(3-(3-[(6-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy) phenyl]benzamide,

[0068] N-[2-[(2S)-3-3-[(6-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4 -fluorophenyl]acetamide,

[0069] N-[2-3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]benzamide,

[0070] N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-6-fluorophenyl]acetamide,

[0071] N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]acetamide,

[0072] N-[2-[(2S)-3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4 -fluorophenyl]acetamide,

[0073] N-[2-[(2R)-3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4 -fluorophenyl]acetamide,

[0074] N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]-3,5-diethyl-1H-pyffole-2-carboxyamide,

[0075] N-[2-(2-Hydroxy-3-{3-[(4-methyl-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl}propoxy) phenylbenzamide, and

[0076] N- {4-Fluoro-2-[((2S)2-hydroxy-3-{3-[(4-methyl-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl}propyl)oxy]phenyl}acetamide.

[0077] The present invention further provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) as defined above which comprises,

[0078] (a) reacting either a compound of general formula

[0079] wherein Y′ represents CH or C(OH) and R¹, X, n, R², Z¹ and Z² are as defined in formula (I),

[0080] or a compound of general formula

[0081] wherein A^(1′) represents CH and A^(2′) represents NH, or A^(1′) represents a nitrogen atom and A^(2′) represents CH₂ or a bond, L represents a hydrogen atom or an activating group (e.g. Li) and R¹, X, n, R², Z¹ and Z² are as defined in formula (I),

[0082] with a compound of general formula

[0083] wherein Q, R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, t and R¹⁶ are as defined in formula (I); or

[0084] (b) reacting a compound of general formula

[0085] wherein R¹, X, Y, n, R², Z¹, Z², A¹, A², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶,R⁷ and R⁸ are as defined in formula (I), with a compound of general formula

[0086] wherein L represents a hydrogen atom or an activating group (e.g. Li when Q is CH₂) and Q, R³, t and R¹⁶ are as defined in formula (I); or

[0087] (c) when R³ represents —NHC(O)R¹³, reacting a compound of general formula

[0088] wherein R¹, X, Y, n, R², Z¹, Z², A¹, A², Q, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, t and R¹⁶ are as defined in formula (I), with a compound of general formula

[0089] wherein L² represents a leaving group (e.g. a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom such as chlorine) and R¹³ is as defined in formula (I); or

[0090] (d) when R³ represents —C(O)NR¹⁴R¹⁵, reacting a compound of general formula

[0091] wherein L³ represents a leaving group (e.g. a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom such as chlorine) and R¹, X, Y, n, R², Z¹, Z², A¹, A², Q, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, t and R¹⁶ are as defined in formula (I), with a compound of general formula (IX), NHR¹⁴R¹⁵, wherein

[0092] R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are as defined in formula (I);

[0093] and optionally after (a), (b), (c) or (d) forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of the compound of formula (I) obtained.

[0094] The processes of the invention may conveniently be carried out in a solvent, e.g. an organic solvent such as an alcohol (e.g. methanol or ethanol), a hydrocarbon (e.g. toluene) or tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile at a temperature of, for example, 0° C. or above such as a temperature in the range from 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20° C. to 100, 110 or 120° C.

[0095] Compounds of formulae (II), (II′), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), (VIII) and (IX) are either commercially available, are well known in the literature or may be prepared easily using known techniques.

[0096] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the process of the present invention certain fuinctional groups such as hydroxyl or amino groups in the starting reagents or intermediate compounds may need to be protected by protecting groups. Thus, the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) may involve, at an appropriate stage, the removal of one or more protecting groups.

[0097] The protection and deprotection of functional groups is described in ‘Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry’, edited by J. W. F. McOmie, Plenum Press (1973) and ‘Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis’, 2nd edition, T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Wiley-Interscience (1991).

[0098] The compounds of formula (I) above may be converted to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, preferably an acid addition salt such as a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, phosphate, acetate, fumarate, maleate, tartrate, citrate, oxalate, methanesulphonate or p-toluenesulphonate.

[0099] Compounds of formula (I) are capable of existing in stereoisomeric forms. It will be understood that the invention encompasses the use of all geometric and optical isomers (including atropisomers) of the compounds of formula (I) and mixtures thereof including racemates. The use of tautomers and mixtures thereof also form an aspect of the present invention. Enantiomerically pure forms are particularly desired.

[0100] The compounds of formula (I) have activity as pharmaceuticals, in particular as modulators of chemoldne receptor (especially MIP-1α chemokine receptor) activity, and may be used in the treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory, proliferative and hyperproliferative diseases and immunologically-mediated diseases including rejection of transplanted organs or tissues and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

[0101] Examples of these conditions are:

[0102] (1) (the respiratory tract) airways diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as irreversible COPD; asthma, such as bronchial, allergic, intrinsic, extrinsic and dust asthma, particularly chronic or inveterate asthma (e.g. late asthma and airways hyper-responsiveness); bronchitis; acute, allergic, atrophic rhinitis and chronic rhinitis including rhinitis caseosa, hypertrophic rhinitis, rhinitis purulenta, rhinitis sicca and rhinitis medicamentosa; membranous rhinitis including croupous, fibrinous and pseudomembranous rhinitis and scrofoulous rhinitis; seasonal rhinitis including rhinitis nervosa (hay fever) and vasomotor rhinitis; sarcoidosis, farmer's lung and related diseases, fibroid lung and idiopathic interstitial pneumonia;

[0103] (2) (bone and joints) rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondyloarthropathies (including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and Reiter's disease), Behcet's disease, Sjogru's syndrome and systemic sclerosis;

[0104] (3) (skin) psoriasis, atopical dermatitis, contact dermatitis and other eczrnatous dermitides, seborrhoetic dermatitis, Lichen planus, Pemphigus, bullous Pemphigus, Epidermolysis bullosa, urticaria, angiodermas, vasculitides, erythemas, cutaneous eosinophilias, uveitis, Alopecia areata and vernal conjunctivitis;

[0105] (4) (gastrointestinal tract) Coeliac disease, proctitis, eosinopilic gastro-enteritis, mastocytosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, food-related allergies which have effects remote from the gut, e.g., migraine, rhinitis and eczema;

[0106] (5) (other tissues and systemic disease) multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), lupus erythematosus, systemic lupus, erythematosus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, myasthenia gravis, type I diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, eosinophilia fascitis, hyper IgE syndrome, lepromatous leprosy, sezary syndrome and idiopathic thrombocytopenia pupura;

[0107] (6) (allograft rejection) acute and chronic following, for example, transplantation of kidney, heart, liver, lung, bone marrow, skin and cornea; and chronic graft veizus host disease;

[0108] (7) cancers, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and squamous sarcoma;

[0109] (8) diseases in which angiogenesis is associated with raised chemoline levels; and

[0110] (9) cystic fibrosis, stroke, re-perfiusion injury in the heart, brain, peripheral limbs and sepsis.

[0111] Thus, the present invention provides a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined for use in therapy.

[0112] In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined in the manufacture of a medicament for use in therapy.

[0113] In the context of the present specification, the term “therapy” also includes “prophylaxis” unless there are specific indications to the contrary. The terms “therapeutic” and “therapeutically” should be construed accordingly.

[0114] The invention also provides a method of treating an inflammatory disease which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined.

[0115] The invention still further provides a method of treating an airways disease which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined.

[0116] For the above-mentioned therapeutic uses the dosage administered will, of course, vary with the compound employed, the mode of administration, the treatment desired and the disorder indicated. The daily dosage of the compound of formula (I) may be in the range from 0.001 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg.

[0117] The compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof may be used on their own but will generally be administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition in which the formula (I) compound/salt/solvate (active ingredient) is in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier. Depending on the mode of administration, the pharmaceutical composition will preferably comprise from 0.05 to 99% w (er cent by weight), more preferably from 0.05 to 80% w, still more preferably from 0.10 to 70% w, and even more preferably from 0.10 to 50% w, of active ingredient, all percentages by weight being based on total composition.

[0118] The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

[0119] The invention flrter provides a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition of the invention which comprises mixing a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined, with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

[0120] The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered topically (e.g. to the skin or to the lung and/or airways) in the form, e.g., of creams, solutions, suspensions, heptafluoroalkane aerosols and dry powder formulations; or systemically, e g. by oral admi,istration in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups, powders or granules; or by parenteral administration in the form of solutions or suspensions; or by subcutaneous administration; or by rectal administration in the form of suppositories; or transdermally.

[0121] The invention will now be further explained by reference to the following illustrative examples, in which ¹H NMR spectra were recorded on Varian Unity Inova 400. The central solvent peak of chloroform-d (δ_(H) 7.27 ppm) were used as internal standard. Low resolution mass spectra and accurate mass determination were recorded on a Hewlett-Packard 1100 LC-MS system equipped with APCI/ESI ionization chambers. All solvents and commercial reagents were laboratory grade and used as received. The nomenclature used for the compounds was generated with ACD/IUPAC Name Pro.

STARTING MATERIALS FOR EXAMPLES 1-16 Pyrroidines

[0122] A) 5-Chloro-2-(3-pyrrolidinyloxy) pyridine

[0123] To a stirred solution of 5-chloro-2-pyridinol (323.9 mg; 2.5 mmol), tert-butyl 3-hydroxy-1-pyrrolidinecarboxylate (468.0 mg, 2.5 mmol) and triphenylphosphine polymer bound (1 g, 3 mmol) in THF/CH₂Cl₂ (1:1, 5 ml) slowly was added diethyl azodicarboxylate (435.5 mg 2.5 mmol). The solution was slowly stirred overnight Resin was then removed by filtration and washed with THF. The combined filtrates were evaporated to dryness. The resulting residue was purified by RP-HPLC (10-40% CH₃CN). The pure material was treated with 95% TFA/5% H₂O, 30 min. The TFA phase was then evaporated to give the desired product as a solid.

[0124] APCI-MS: m/z 199.1 [M⁺H⁺]

[0125]¹H-NMR(400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.06(d, 1H), 7.57(m, 1H), 6.72(d, 1H), 5.60(m, 1H), 3.63(m, 1H), 3.50(m, 3H), 2.32(m, 2H)

[0126] B) 5-Bromo-2-(3-pyrrolidinyloxy)pyridine

[0127] The title compound was prepared from of 5-bromo-2-pyridinol (435 mg; 2.5 mmol), by a process analogous to that described in A) above.

[0128] APCI-MS: m/z 243.2 [M⁺H⁺]

[0129]¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.98(m, 1H), 7.54(m, 1H), 7.36(m, 1H), 5.3(m, 1H), 3.62(m, 4H), 2.35(m, 2H).

[0130] C) 4-Methyl-2-(3-pyrrolidinyloxy)pyridine

[0131] The title compound was prepared from 4-methyl-2-pyridinol (273.0 mg; 2.5 mmol), by a process analogous to that described in A) above.

[0132] APCI-MS: m/z 179.2 [M⁺H⁺]

[0133]¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.10(d, 1H), 7.06(m, 2H), 5.62(m, 1H), 3.64(m, 2H), 3.52(m, 2H), 2.42(s, 3H), 2.40(m, 2H).

[0134] D) 2-Chloro-6-(3-pyrrolidinyloxy) pyridine

[0135] The title compound was prepared from 2-chloro-6-pyridinol by a process analogous to that described in A) above.

[0136]¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.50(m, 1H), 6.87(d, 1H), 6.63(d, 1H), 5.47(m, 1H), 3.17(m, 1H), 3.13(m, 2H), 2.93(m, 1H), 2.15(m, 1H), 1,93(m, 1H).

Epoxides

[0137] E) N-[2-Fluoro-6-(2-oxiranylmethoxy)phenyl]acetamide

[0138] i) 2-Amino-3-fluorophenol

[0139] To a stirred solution of 2,6-difluoronitrobenzene (1100 mg, 6.9 mmol) in dry methanol (20 ml) was added a solution of sodium (180 mg, 7.8 mmol ) in dry methanol (8 ml). The solution was stirred overnight. After concentration water was added and the solution was extracted with ether, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to a yellow residue (870 mg.5.08 mmol). To the solution of the yellow residue in dichloromethane (10 ml) was added boron tribromide (1M in dichloromethane, 10 ml) and stirred at room temperature overnight. Water was then added and the solution stirred for further 60 min. The organic phase was separated and the water phase was extracted with ether. The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give a brownish residue. The residue was taken up into ether and washed with 2M sodium hydroxide and water. The water and sodium hydroxide washings were combined and neutralized with 6M HCl and extracted with ether, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to give a yellow residue which was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with EtOAc:Heptane; 1:3 as eluant to give the product (720 mg, 4.6 mmol) which was directly suspended with palladium-charcoal (140 mg) in water-ethanol (30 ml). Sodium borohydride (530 mg) was added over a period of 5 minutes and the suspension was stired at room temperature (1 h). The catalyst was removed by filtration through a Celite pad The filtrate was acidified with 6M hydrochloric acid to destroy any residual borohydride, neutralized with 2M sodium hydroxide, and then extracted with ether. The ethereal extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated.

[0140] APCI-MS: m/z 128.2 [M⁺H⁺]

[0141] ii) N-[2-Fluoro-6-(2-oxiranylmethoxy)phenyl]acetaniide

[0142] To a stirred solution of 2-amino-3-fluorophenol (300 mg, 2.36 mmol) in water-methanol (10 ml) acetic acid anhydride was added until all 2-amino-3-fluorophenol was used. The solution was then concentrated to a residue of N-(2-fluoro-6-tiydroxyphenyl) acetamide. To a mixture of N-(2-fluoro-6-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide (399 mg, 2.36 mmol) and potassium carbonate (652 mg, 4.72 mmol) in DMF (5 ml) was added epibromohydrin (388 mg, 2.8 mmol) and was stirred at 70° C. for 3 hrs. Water and ethyl acetate were added. the organic phase separated, dried and concentrated. The resulting residue was purified by RP-HPLC (10-40% CH₃CN ) to give the desired product as a solid (242 mg, 1.08 mmol).

[0143] APCI-MS: m/z 226.2 [M⁺H⁺]

[0144]¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.15(m, 1H), 6.80(m, 2H), 6.70(d, 1H), 4.3(m, 1H), 3.95(m, 1H), 3.3(m, 1H), 2.90(m, 1H), 2.75(m, 1H), 2.50(m, 1H), 2.20(s, 3H)

[0145] F) 3,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (2-oxiranylmethoxy-phenyl)-acetamide

[0146] i) 3,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid

[0147] To a solution of ethyl 3,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolecarboxylate (Aldrich) (504 mg, 3 mmol) in THF/H₂O/MeOH (5:1:1, 30 ml ) was added NaOH (480 mg, 12 mmol) in H₂O (12 ml). The mixture was stirred at 75° C. overnight. The homogeneous mixture was washed with ether. To the aqueous layer was added a saturated aqueos KHSO₄ solution until the pH was about 3. The solution was then extracted with dichloromethane. The extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated. The residue was purified on silica (ethylacetate/methanol, 90/10) to give the title compound (375 mg, 90%).

[0148]¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.75(s, 1H), 5.83(s, 1H), 2.25(s, 1H), 2.38(s, 1H).

[0149] ii) 3,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (2-phenol)-acetamide

[0150] 2-Aminophenol (545 mg 5 mmol), 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (695 mg, 5 mmol) and HATU (1900 mg, 5 mmol) were stirred in DMF (20 ml). Diisopropylethylamine was added to pH 8. The mixture was stirred overnight and then concentrated. The residue was purified on RP-HPLC (acetonitrile/water, 10/90 to 40/60 with 0.5% trifluoroacetic acid) to give the title compound (550 mg, 48%).

[0151] APCI-MS: m/z 231.2 [M⁺H⁺]

[0152]¹H-NMR (400 MHz CDCl₃): δ 9.22(s, 1H); 7.63(s, 1H), 7.11(m, 2H), 7.03 (m, 1H), 6.88(m, 1H), 5.88(s, 1H), 2.44(s, 1H), 2.24(s, 1H).

[0153] iii) 3,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (2-oxiranylmethoxy-phenyl)-acetamide

[0154] The tide compound was prepared from 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (2-phenol)-acetamide (ii) (300 mg, 1.3 mmol) by a process analogous to that described in E ii) above.

[0155] APCI-MS: m/z 273.2 [M⁺H⁺]

[0156]¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.46(m, 1H), 8.31(m, 1H), 6;99(m, 2H), 6.87(m, 1H), 5.85(m, 1H), 4.34(m, 1H), 3.92(m, 1H), 3.36(m, 1H), 2.91(m, 2H), 2.71 (m, 1H), 2.47(m, 3H), 2.25(m, 3H)

[0157] G) N-[2-(2-Oxiranylmethoxy) phenyl]benzamide

[0158] To a strred solution of N-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-benzamide (0.81 g, 3.80 mmol), and cesium carbonate (1.61 g, 4.94 mmol) in acetonitrile was added epibromohydrin (0.63 ml, 7.60 mmol). After 4 hours the reaction mixture was partitioned between dichloromethane and water. After evaporation of the organic solvent, the residue was crystallized from petroleum ether and diethyl ether yielding the title compound (0.741 g, 73%).

[0159] APCI-MS: m/z 227 [M⁺H⁺]

[0160]¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.65 (bs, 1H), 8.55 (bs, 1H), 7.94(d, 2H), 7.53(m, 3H), 7.08 (bs, 2H), 6.96 (bs, 1H), 4.42(d, IH), 4.02, (m, IH), 3.41 (bs, 1H), 2.96(s, 1H), (s, 1H).

[0161] H) N-4-Fluoro-2-[(2S) oxiranylmethoxy]phenyl)acetamide

[0162] (2S)-2-[(5-Fluoro-2-nitrophenoxy)methyl]oxirane (0.32 g, 1.5 mmol) was dissolved in ethyl acetate (40 ml). Platinum on charcoal (0.15 g) was added, and the mixture was stirred in the atmosphere of hydrogen for 3 hours at room temperature ard atmospheric pressure. The catalyst was filtered and washed on the filter with ethyl acetate (10 ml). Acetic anhydride (0.31 g, 0.28 ml, 3 mmol) and ethyl di(isopropyl)amine (0.39 g, 0.52 ml, 3 mmol) were added to the solution. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours, then washed with 1M NaOH (30 ml) and brine (30 ml), and dried with Na₂SO₄. Evaporation of the solvent and flash chromatography on silica gel with n-heptane/ethyl acetate (from 25 to 75%) afforded the titled compound (0.21 g, 0.92 mmol, 61%) as a colourless solid product.

[0163] APCI-MS: m/z 226 [M⁺H⁺]

[0164]¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.30 (dd, 1H, J=5.2, J=9.0), 7.71 (br. S, 1H), 8.6-8.8 (m, 2H), 436 (dd, 1H, J=2.3, J=11.3), 3.90 (dd, 1H, J=6.3, J=11.3), 3.40(m, 1H), 2.97 (t, 1H, J=4.4), 2.78 (dd, 1H, J=2.7, J=4.8), 2.21(s, 3H).

[0165] I) N-(4-Fluoro-2-1(2R) oxiranylmethoxy]phenyl)acetamide

[0166] The title compound was prepared from (2R)-2-[(5-fluoro-2-nitrophenoxy)methyl]oxirane according to the method described in H) above.

EXAMPLE 1 N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyi)oxy]-1-pyrrolidiyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy) phenyl]benzamnide

[0167] A solution of 5-chloro-2-(3-pyrrolidinyloxy) pyridine (100 μL, 0.2M/DMSO), N-[2-(2-oxiranymethoxy)phenyl]benzamide (100 μL, 0.2 M/DMSO) was refluxed for 3 h.

[0168] APCI-MS: m/z 468.4 [M⁺H⁺]

[0169] The compounds of Examples 2 to 16 were prepared from the appropriate starting materials described above by processes analogous to that of Example 1 above.

EXAMPLE 2 N-[2-3-{3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy}-6-fluorophenyl)acetamide

[0170] APCI-MS: m/z 424.3 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 3 N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyI)oxyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]acetamide

[0171] APCI-MS: m/z 406.3 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 4 N-[2-1(2S)-3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxyl-1-pyrroudinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-fluorophenyl]acetamide

[0172] APCI-MS: m/z 424.3 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 5 N-]2-1(2R)-3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxrypropoxy) -4-fluorophenyl]acetamide

[0173] APCI-MS: m/z 424.3 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 6 N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]3,5 -dimethyl-1-H-pyrrole-2-carboxyamide

[0174] APCI-MS: m/z 485.4 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 7 N-[2-3-(3-1(6-Chloro-2-pyridinyt)oxyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy) phenyl]benzamide APCI-MS: m/z 468.4 [M⁺H⁺] EXAMPLE 8 N-[2-[(2S)-3-(3-[(6-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-fluorophenyl] acetamide APCI-MS: m/z 424.3 M⁺H⁺] EXAMPLE 9 N-[2-(3(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]benzamide

[0175] APCI-MS: m/z 512.3 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 10 N-[2-(3(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-6-fluorophenyl ]acetamide

[0176] APCI-MS: m/z 468.3 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 11 N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]acetamide

[0177] APCI-MS: m/z 450.3 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 12 N-[2-[(2S)-3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-fluorophenyl]acetamide

[0178] APCI-MS: m/z 468.3 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 13 N-[2-1(2R)-3-(3-[(5Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-fluorophenyl] acetamide

[0179] APCI-MS: m/z 468.3 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 14 N-[2-(3-3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxyl-1-pyrroldinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-arboxyamide

[0180] APCI-MS: m/z 529.4 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 15 N-[2-(2-Hydroxy-3-{3-[(4-methyl-2-pyridinyl)oxyl-1-pyrrolidinyl}propoxy) phenylbenzamide

[0181] APCI-MS: m/z 448.4 [M⁺H⁺]

EXAMPLE 16 N-{4-Fluoro-2-[((2S)2-hydroxy-3-{3-1(4methyl-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl}propyl)oxylphenyl) acetamide

[0182] APCI-MS: m/z 404.4 [M⁺H⁺]

THP-1 Chemotaxs Assay

[0183] Introduction

[0184] The assay measured the chemotactic response elicited by MIP-1α chemokine in the human monocytic cell line THP-1. The compounds of the Examples were evaluated by their ability to depress the chemotactic response to a standard concentration of MIP-1α chemokine.

[0185] Methods

[0186] Culture of THP-1 Cells

[0187] Cells were thawed rapidly at 37° C. from frozen aliquots and resuspended in a 25 cm flask containing 5 ml of RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with Glutamax and 10% heat inactivated fetal calf serum without antibiotics (RPMI+10% HIFCS). At day 3 the medium is discarded and replaced with fresh medium.

[0188] THP-1 cells are routinely cultured in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% heat inactivated fetal calf serum and glutarnax but without antibiotics. Optimal growth of the cells requires that they are passaged every 3 days and that the minimum subculture density is 4×10+5 cells/ml.

[0189] Chemotaxis Assay

[0190] Cells were removed from the flask and washed by centrifgation in RPMI+10% HIFCS+glutamax. The cells were then resuspended at 2×10+7 cells/ml in fresh medium (RPMI+10% HIFCS+glutamax) to which was added calcein-AM (5 μl of stock solution to 1 ml to give a final concentration of 5×10⁻⁶ M). After gentle mixing the cells were incubated at 37° C. in a CO₂ incubator for 30 minutes. The cells were then diluted to 50 ml with medium and washed twice by centrifmgation at 400×g. Labelled cells were then resuspended at a cell concentration of ×10+7 cells/nl and incubated with an equal volume of MIP-1α antagonist (10⁻¹⁰ M to 10⁻⁶ M final concentration) for 30 minutes at 37° C. in a humidified CO₂ incubator.

[0191] Chemotaxis was performed using Neuroprobe 96-well chemotaxis plates employing 8 μm filters (cat no. 101-8). Thirty microlitres of chemoattractant supplemented with various concentrations of antagonists or vehicle were added to the lower wells of the plate in triplicate. The filter was then carefullly positioned on top and then 25 μl of cells preincubated with the corresponding concentration of antagonist or vehicle were added to the surface of the filter. The plate was then incubated for 2 hours at 37° C. in a humidified CO₂ incubator. The cells remaining on the surface were then removed by adsorption and the whole plate was centrifuged at 2000 rpm. for 10 minutes. The filter was then removed and the cells that had migrated to the lower wells were quantified by the fluorescence of cell associated calcein-AM. Cell migration was then expressed in fluorescence units after subtraction of the reagent blank and values were standardized to % migration by comparing the fluorescence values with that of a known number of labelled cells. The effect of antagonists was calculated as % inhibition when the number of migrated cells were compared with vehicle. 

1. A compound of general formula

wherein R¹ represents a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, the ring, system being optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, —NR⁹R¹⁰, C₃-C₆ cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonylamino, sulphonamndo, C₁-C₆ alkylsulphonyl and —C(O)NR¹¹R¹²; X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a CH₂, CH(CH₃), OCH₂, CH₂O, CH₂NH, NH or carbonyl group and Y represents a nitrogen atom or a CH or C(OH) group, provided that when X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a CH₂O, CH₂NH or NH group, then Y represents a CH group; n is 0, 1 or 2; each R² independently represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, —CH₂OH or carboxyl group; Z¹ represents a bond or a group (CH₂)_(q) where q is 1 or 2; Z² represents a bond or a group CH₂, with the proviso that Z¹ and Z² do not both simultaneously represent a bond; when Y represents a nitrogen atom, then A¹ represents CH and A² represents NH, or A¹ represents a nitrogen atom and A² represents CH₂, or A¹ represents a nitrogen atom and A² represents a bond; or when Y represents a group CH or C(OH), then A¹ represents a nitrogen atom and A² represents a bond; Q represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group CH₂ or NH; R³ represents —NHC(O)R¹³ or —C(O)NR¹⁴R¹⁵; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ together represent a C₁-C₄ alkylene chain linking the two carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a 4- to 7-membered saturated carbocycle, or R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each represent a hydrogen atom and R⁴ and R⁸ together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5- to 6-membered saturated carbocycle; R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group or is linked to R⁴ as defined above; R⁹ and R¹⁰ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered satated heterocycle; R¹¹ and R¹² each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group; R¹³ represents a group C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, adamantyl, C₅-C₆ cycloalkenyl, phenyl or a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, each of which may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from nitro, hydroxyl, oxo, halogen, carboxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl and —NHC(O)—R¹⁷; R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independently represent (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a 5- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring optionally comprising at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, the ring being optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from halogen, methyl and trifluoromethyl, or (iii) a C₁-C₆ alkyl group optionally substituted by at least one substituent selected from halogen, trifluoromethyl, carboxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl and a 5- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring optionally comprising at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, the ring being optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from halogen, methyl and trifluoromethyl, or R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle; t is 0, 1, 2 or 3; each R¹⁶ independently represents halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, hydroxyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, —NR¹⁸R¹⁹, C₃-C₆ cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonylamino, sulphonamido (—SO₂NH₂), C₁-C₆ alkylsulphonyl, —C(O)NR²⁰R²¹, —NR²²C(O)(NH)_(v)R²³, phenyl, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted by at least one substituent selected from carboxyl and C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl; R¹⁷ represents a C₁-C₆ alkyl, amino (—NH₂) or phenyl group; R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, or R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle; R²⁰ and R²¹ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group optionally substituted by C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl; v is 0 or 1; R²² represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group; and R²³ represents a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group optionally substituted by at least one substituent selected from carboxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy and C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein, in R¹, the heterocyclic ring system is 5- or 6-membered.
 3. A compound according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein X represents an oxygen atom or a CH₂, OCH₂, CH₂O, NH or carbonyl group.
 4. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Y represents a nitrogen atom or CH group.
 5. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein Q represents an oxygen atom.
 6. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein R³ represents —NHC(O)R¹³ and R¹³ represents a group C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl or a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, each of which may be optionally substituted by one, two, three or four substituents independently selected from nitro, hydroxyl, oxo, halogen, carboxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, C₁-C₆ alkylcarbonyl C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl and —NHC(O)—R¹⁷.
 7. A compound according to claim 1 being: N-[2-3-(3-[((5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy) phenyl]benzamide, or N-[2-3-{3-[(5-Chlomi-2-pyridinyl)oxy)]-1-pyrrolidinyl}-2-hydroxypropoxy}-6-fluorophenyl)acetamide, or N-[2-3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]acetamide, or N-[2-[(2S)-3-(3-(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-fluorophenyl]acetamide, or N-[2-[(2R)-3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-fluorophenyl]acetamide, or N-[2-3-(3-[(5-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxyamide, or N-[2-3-(3-[(6-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy) phenyl]benzamide, or N-[2-[(2S)-3-(3-[(6-Chloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-fluorophenyl]acetamide, or N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]benzamide, or N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy)-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-6-fluorophenyl]acetamide, or N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]acetamide, or N-[2-[(2S)-3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-fluorophenyl]acetamide, or N-[2-[(2R)-3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-fluorophenyl]acetamide, or N-[2-(3-(3-[(5-Bromo-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxyamide, or N-[2-(2-Hydroxy-3-{3-[(4-methyl-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl}propoxy) phenylbenzamide, or N- {4-Fluoro-2-[((2S)2-hydroxy-3-{3-[(4-methyl-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl}propyl)oxy]phenyl}acetamide.
 8. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1 which comprises, (a) reacting either a compound of general formula

wherien Y′ represents CH or C(OH) and R¹, X, n, R², Z¹ and Z² are as defined in formula (I), or a compound of general formula

wherein A^(1′) represents CH and A^(2′) represents NH, or A^(1′) represents a nitrogen atom and A^(2′) represents CH₂ or a bond, L represents a hydrogen atom or an activating group and R¹, X, n, R², Z¹ and Z² are as defined in formula (I), with a compound of general formula

wherein Q, R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, t and R¹⁶ are as defined in formula (I); or (b) reacting a compound of general formula

wherein R¹, X, Y, n, R², Z¹, Z², A¹, A², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are as defined in formula (I), with a compound of general formula

wherein L¹ represents a hydrogen atom or an activating group and Q, R³, t and R¹⁶ are as defined in formula (I); or (c) when R³ represents —NHC(O)R¹³, reacting a compound of general formula

wherein R¹, X, Y, n, R², Z¹, Z², A¹, A², Q, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, t and R¹⁶ are as defined in formula (I), with a compound of general formula

wherein L² represents a leaving group and R¹³ is as defined in formula (I); or (d) when R³ represents —C(O)NR¹⁴R¹⁵, reacting a compound of general formula

wherein L³ represents aleaving group and R¹, X, Y, n, R², Z¹, Z², A¹, A², Q, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, t and R¹⁶ are as defined in formula (I), with a compound of general formula (IX), NHR¹⁴R¹⁵, wherein R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are asdefined informula (I); and optionally after (a), (b), (c) or (d) forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of the compound of formula (I) obtained.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.
 10. A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 9 which comprises mixing a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.
 11. A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 for use in therapy.
 12. Use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in the manufacture of a medicament for use in therapy.
 13. Use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of human diseases or conditions in which modulation of chemokine receptor activity is beneficial.
 14. Use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
 15. Use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
 16. Use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating asthma.
 17. Use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating multiple sclerosis.
 18. A method of treating an inflammatory disease which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
 7. 19. A method of treating an airways disease which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
 7. 